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As I stated on the other thread, we have sadly had to bring in this measure due to an increasing number of supporters abusing the concession ticket pricing and claiming discounts they are not entitled to.

The result is that we now need to see proof of age before issuing the season ticket. It's not a measure we have any pleasure in taking, but is sadly necessary due a rising number of chancers.

Purely as an anecdotal aside, I popped into the ticket office this morning and today they've already had two people wrongly trying to claim concession prices they weren't entitled to. When they came in to provide their proof of age this was flagged up and they were sold the appropriate ticket.

We do realise this is an additional hassle for people and we don't enjoy asking you, but I hope fans can understand why this is necessary.

I don't understand the fuss on this topic. It is quite normal to have to produce proof of age when applying for tickets at concessionary prices. I am surprised that this has not been required in previous seasons.

Season ticket arrived today and a claim form for missing Saracens game and a international ballot form plus a free coaster included , mine has Sinoti on, also the season ticket is in a plastic folder with a Falcons ribbon attached to hang round your neck , delightful and thank you and well done Falcons.

Hi, we were hoping to have the Anglo-Welsh dates out by now but the ongoing kerfuffle with the Pro 12 has meant we have had to delay the announcement while we find out exactly what the Welsh sides are doing with their league programme.

Also, thanks for the positive feedback regarding the ST packs being sent out. If you ordered before July 12 you should have yours by the end of the week. Anyone who ordered a concession ticket needs to provide proof of age to the club before their pack is sent out.

Mine arrived today in a snazzy black padded envelope. A small thing I know but it looked/felt like something special had landed on the mat. Not sure yet if I'll use the lanyard but I appreciate the thought behind it.
One query that someone may be able to answer for me: the accompanying letter mentions the pre-season friendlies and asks South and North Terrace ST holders to claim a ticket in the stand of their choice before August 9th.
Does this mean that the intention is to close both South and North terraces for the pre-season games?

Yes, it's just the East and West open, so please contact the ticket office and they'll sort you out with an allocated seat for the friendlies.

Likewise, all East and West ST holders also need to contact the ticket office to tell us they'll be using their seats for the friendlies. You can call 0871 226 6060, email fans@newcastle-falcons.co.uk or visit KP in person.

Hi Smithy, please clarify...if I have had an OAP ST for the last x seasons,will I need to show proof of age. sadly I am not getting any younger!oh, and I live 50odd miles from KP so not exactly easy to 'pop in'.

I received mine today and a nice birthday present it was too with special package and free coaster.

I had a lengthy discussion with one of the ladies in the Club Shop last week who was most helpful about the need for proof for the concession Season Tickets.

I think the lanyard idea is very good and I'm very pleased that our ticket now says North East Terrace as this couldn't be done last season. It caused no end of problems with stewarding. The need to continually say, "I understand it says South East Terrace, but I stand in the North East Terrace" and the refusal to get in through the North Stand entrance was annoying. I'm glad this will be avoided.

I have received my season ticket today as the excitement builds for next season
I have also booked friendly tickets, I had to persuade the ticket office official to let me have tickets in the East Stand rather than the West though, I got the impression I was due to sit in the West Stand but I have a young child with me and the extra room for his buggy on the east stand terrace makes life so much easier. Luckily I was able to get Eastside

As you all know from my posts,I am always very positive in the way that the club has and is moving forward.

I'm not going to get into chapter and verse on here but to say that I am " SERIOUSLY" P..... Off with the email and subsequent conversation that I have had today from the ticket office in relation to my children's season tickets is an understatement!!

If people have abused the concession system then the club needed to take action. I guess that the database will now show date of birth, so it will never be needed to be done again. ~It will flag up when a youngster passes concession age, and I must admit that my senior concession has been done for years on my say so alone , so I do understand the necessity.
One query. The posting carries 2 closing dates for the international ballot. I assume the August one is the right one.

Mine arrived yesterday & certainly has a sense of occasion about it. Somebody put a lot of thought into the presentation so well done to the marketing team, and it has arrived nice & early so plenty of time for people to sort out any bits & bobs before the friendlies fire up.

Top job.

As for the proof of age, I can understand it will naff off some people, but please don't blame the club, blame the people who try to cheat their way in cheap by abusing the concession tickets. The club are just trying their best to get around a problem caused by dishonest people so bear with them.

"The posting carries 2 closing dates for the international ballot. I assume the August one is the right one."

Hi, yes, I can clarify the August date is the correct one. This was an error in the original letter, and we apologise for the confusion.

As an aside on the proof of age issue, we had two people today contact us to provide their proof of age, and it turned out they weren't actually eligible for the concessionary price they were claiming. We realise it's a chore, but these examples just illustrate why we need to go through this process. We appreciate your understanding with this necessary admin.

Now that we have a CRM system that links to the ticketing system this is hopefully a one off exercise in getting the required information so that have proof that certain discounts apply where asked for.

To be clear on this the onus is on the individual to prove that they qualify for a free or discounted ticket. You would have to prove anywhere else you would ask for a discount that is age and/or student related so I'm not sure why we would be any different?

What has transpired is that this issue is far more than just a few individuals. Thankfully most supporters (when requested) have proved that they qualify for discounts straight away by bringing in or emailing the appropriate details.

Interestingly a lot of the people that are most vociferous about doing this don't qualify for the discount they are claiming. In some cases it has been multiple seasons where they have enjoyed the discount without being entitled to.

Ultimately we offer discounts to make it more affordable for families with children, students or those over 65. We have recently extended this by offering free season tickets to under 11s and those under 15s who play club rugby on a regular basis. This supports the community work we do as we strive to grow the sport at all levels. It is really disheartening to find that individuals have knowing abused this offer and all we are doing now is ensuring that discounts/free season tickets are correctly applied.

If you have any further issues or questions please email me on mick.hogan@newcastle-falcons.co.uk.

The great news is that current season ticket numbers are at a nine year high!

2017/18 Season Tickets allow access to 16 home fixtures - 10 Premiership fixtures, 3 European pool fixtures, 2 Anglo-Welsh Cup fixtures, and Pre-Season Friendly fixture. If you would like any help or advice with your season ticket purchase please contact the Ticket Office on 0871 226 6060.

Am I right in thinking that ST applications for the international ballots need to be submitted in August. If so, can someone provide me with the e mail address of the staff member coordinating the ballot? I' m away til 31/8 and need a ballot form e mailing to me

Ultimately we offer discounts to make it more affordable for families with children, students or those over 65. We have recently extended this by offering free season tickets to under 11s and those under 15s who play club rugby on a regular basis. This supports the community work we do as we strive to grow the sport at all levels. It is really disheartening to find that individuals have knowing abused this offer and all we are doing now is ensuring that discounts/free season tickets are correctly applied.

The great news is that current season ticket numbers are at a nine year high!

Regards

Mick Hogan
Managing Director

I am cancelling my season ticket and season parking as I am being told that despite being a student I don't qualify for a ticket. Disappointed that the club doesn't recognise full time workers who study part time as students despite having full NUS status and membership cards.

To be fair, I think student discounts only apply to full-time students at most venues. That is the point after all, to help those who are unable to earn a proper living because they are still in education. If you are able to work full-time then you don't need a student discount.

That's how I see it anyway.

For proof of age I emailed the club & was told that a scan or photo of Junior's birth certificate or passport is all they need. It can be emailed to hanna.sutheran@newcastle-falcons.co.uk

Ultimately we offer discounts to make it more affordable for families with children, students or those over 65. We have recently extended this by offering free season tickets to under 11s and those under 15s who play club rugby on a regular basis. This supports the community work we do as we strive to grow the sport at all levels. It is really disheartening to find that individuals have knowing abused this offer and all we are doing now is ensuring that discounts/free season tickets are correctly applied.

The great news is that current season ticket numbers are at a nine year high!

Regards

Mick Hogan
Managing Director

I am cancelling my season ticket and season parking as I am being told that despite being a student I don't qualify for a ticket. Disappointed that the club doesn't recognise full time workers who study part time as students despite having full NUS status and membership cards.

If you work full time then I think the club is right.

Sounds like we've had lots of people abusing the system and taking something they're not entitled to.

If you really feel that strongly then I don't suppose the club will miss you - only you are losing out on the rugby - a case of cutting your nose off to spite your face?

Ultimately we offer discounts to make it more affordable for families with children, students or those over 65. We have recently extended this by offering free season tickets to under 11s and those under 15s who play club rugby on a regular basis. This supports the community work we do as we strive to grow the sport at all levels. It is really disheartening to find that individuals have knowing abused this offer and all we are doing now is ensuring that discounts/free season tickets are correctly applied.

The great news is that current season ticket numbers are at a nine year high!

Regards

Mick Hogan
Managing Director

I am cancelling my season ticket and season parking as I am being told that despite being a student I don't qualify for a ticket. Disappointed that the club doesn't recognise full time workers who study part time as students despite having full NUS status and membership cards.

If you work full time then I think the club is right.

Sounds like we've had lots of people abusing the system and taking something they're not entitled to.

If you really feel that strongly then I don't suppose the club will miss you - only you are losing out on the rugby - a case of cutting your nose off to spite your face?

everyone is entitled to an opinion. by working full time and then also paying for a uni course, as well as usual day to day bills, I believe I should be entitled to the same benefits that everywhere else that offers student discount give me. I'd be intrigued to know if you'd feel the same in this situation.

I've had a season ticket for about 10 year, for 6 of them I also had full nus card while studying part time but it was always made clear that the discount was for full time students only. I didn't have a probem with it as it was quite clear that I didn't qualify.

1)
I don't want to get into an argument, but I too work full time and am doing a degree aswell, which ive had to pay for. I have renewed my ST but not requested concession etc. As far as im concerned unless im a full time student not earning anything then I have no rights to request a discount....im a fully earning adult and I think to expect a discount in that scenario is wrong.

2)
On the other note, I spoke to the ticket off about when they will be received, and they said all will be received well before the friendlies...so don't worry people

Cant wait for the double header day...they're always a great day, for a few beers, see the new signings, have a chat with a few of the players...

I sent a photo of Junior's birth certificate this morning & less than ten minutes later received a reply saying his details were now on the ticket system & his ST would be sent out soon. They don't hang about.

Best bet for a specific question like that is to email the ticket office on fans@newcastle-falcons.co.uk and they'll be able to give you an accurate reply. Or call them on 0871 226 6060.

Season ticket members technically need to reserve their seats for the double header by August 9. I can't imagine there being a problem if you contact them in advance and tell them what you're doing, but I'd certainly speak to them in advance to check rather than just rocking up on the day.

And if it's a concession ticket of any form you'll need to provide proof of age.

markismith50Just another onlooker,
Best bet for a specific question like that is to email the ticket office on fans@newcastle-falcons.co.uk and they'll be able to give you an accurate reply. Or call them on 0871 226 6060.

Season ticket members technically need to reserve their seats for the double header by August 9. I can't imagine there being a problem if you contact them in advance and tell them what you're doing, but I'd certainly speak to them in advance to check rather than just rocking up on the day.

And if it's a concession ticket of any form you'll need to provide proof of age.

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